Best Tent Camping near Clarington, PA

Dispersed tent camping dominates the options in the Allegheny National Forest region near Clarington, Pennsylvania, with multiple primitive sites accessible along forest roads. Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite and Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite offer tent campers secluded spots approximately 15-20 miles from town, providing an off-grid experience within the densely wooded landscape. These primitive tent areas require self-sufficiency but reward campers with genuine forest immersion away from developed facilities.

Most backcountry tent sites feature established fire rings but lack basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities. Tent campers must pack in all water and pack out all waste. Surface conditions vary seasonally, with several visitors noting muddy conditions during spring thaw and after rain. The forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas generally accommodate standard vehicles, though some sites require short walks from parking areas. According to one visitor, "Some spots you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you can't take your car at all," highlighting the mix of accessibility options.

Walk-in tent sites at Wolfkiel Run Shelters in Oil Creek State Park provide a more structured primitive experience approximately 30 miles from Clarington. The Adirondack-style shelters accommodate tent setups and include fireplaces with hooks for hanging cookware. A visitor noted that "the shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest." The area features maintained trails, drop toilets, and access to swimming spots along Oil Creek, making it suitable for tent campers seeking backcountry solitude with minimal facilities. Winter tent camping remains possible at these sites, though snow-covered access trails may require additional planning and cold-weather gear. The tent camping areas throughout the region generally remain uncrowded, particularly on weekdays and during shoulder seasons.

Best Tent Sites Near Clarington, Pennsylvania (12)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Clarington, PA

10 Photos of 12 Clarington Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Clarington, PA

411 Reviews of 12 Clarington Campgrounds


  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Best Hike-In Camp in PA

    Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail, in the Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is made up of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. 

    The tent section is cleared and grassy with communal firepit and picnic table. Lots of trees to enable hammock set up. There is a supply of firewood in a covered shed for a small donation and two(2) drop toilets. Water is available in the summer months. The shelters are approx. 15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. It’s a stunning walk with lots of small swimming spots along the way. 

    The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA. The walk-in from the carpark is approx. 15min– slight downhill on the way in.

  • Britt B.
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Winter Camping at Wolfkiel Shelters

    This was our second time to the Wolfkiel Shelters in Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in camping areas which consists of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The road in was snow covered but easily navigated. The Shelter carpark is small and was almost full the day we arrived. The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile(~15min). The drop toilets were open, but probably wise to BYO toilet tissue. The shelters have hooks that allow you to hang a tarpaulin to help keep the heat in your shelter, although not necessary, especially if the nights are still. Snow did blow into our Shelter in the morning but was minimal. There is a self-serve timber stack which was fully stocked. A donation is requested. It’s wise to bring your own kindling, or an axe to cut some from the larger pieces. The shelter fireplaces have hooks for hanging pots and pans over the flames. Even in Winter, the shelters positioned so you do not look at other shelters. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. These shelters are very peaceful in the winter and would highly recommend them if you are keen for some“winter camping” but not keen to sleep in a tent or be completely exposed. The shelters are approx.15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Great quiet little campground

    Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles. Other smaller sites for tents or vans. Self serve ice $2 wood $10. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site. AT&T spotty 0-1 bars. Host camper. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 1 Xlarge site for groups.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Simple and serene

    Hearts Content is best described as a way station. The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV’s . There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets. Two of the sites include Adirondack type shelters. A picnic table and fire ring are within each site. I used this site as a staging area to explore Allegheny National Forest for a week. Used a camp shower. The closest town is Warren, PA. Firewood is available at the camp host site. Across the road is an hiking area with picnic tables and the like.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Minister Creek Campground

    Small, rustic, gorgeous

    We stayed here July 2018 and found a quiet campsite by the creek. It had been quite rainy and some of the sites were wet and muddy, but for $12, I couldn't complain. While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp). Arrive early to get a prime spot, and take advantage of the hiking trails (a bug net for your head will help in the summer as the gnats and deer flies are distracting). Looking forward to staying again.

  • Bill  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Minimal offering for maximum relaxing

    This campground is within Allegheny National Forest near the town of Warren and Tidouette. The sites are few but spacious. Good for car camping, though I’m sure a smaller RVcould get by. Each site has a fire ring. Two sites have Adirondack type shelters. The night sky is promising but light pollution from Warren inhibits a truly awesome night sky. There is a vault toilet. No showers. No water either. Bring what you need! The closest town is about 30 minutes away. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here. We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Price was cheap. No frills but a quiet respite for sure.

  • D
    Oct. 21, 2021

    Kelly Pines Campground

    Off the grid, lots to explore!

    This equestrian campground also has 2 non-equestrian sites, one which is reservable. There is no potable water but there is a river and a non-potable pump. There is a permanent toilet usually stocked with TP. Carry out all garbage. No electrical hookups.

    Traditional camp sites have space for multiple tents and 2 cars. Each has a picnic table and a fire pit with moveable cooking surface. We’ve never had an issue with bears or other wildlife where food and trash are concerned but we store in the cars at night to be safe. The area is usually damp so don’t count in being able to find much dry wood - we stop before driving in for wood.

    Trails galore! Mushrooms everywhere! Quiet and no cellular to distract.

  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Clear Creek State Park Campground

    Pennsylvania Favorite!

    A Pennsylvania favorite, Clear Creek State Park is a beautifully maintained, scenic park, right on the Clarion River in the Clear Creek State Park. The Park offers movies on an outdoor screen, regular nature talks and walks and has an onsite museum. The park has tent sites, RV sites and cabins. Clear Creek runs through the campground and is a perfect spot for a BBQ or Picnic. It also has a designated swimming beach with sand. There are multiple hiking trails leaving the campground. There is a general store just 5min from the park, plus multiple private firewood options on the road in. The park also sells firewood bundles. The Clarion is a crystal clear, shallow, rock bottom river perfect for a cool off, fishing or kayaking. There are two kayaking/tubing companies in Cook Forest to hire watercraft to float the river. Both floats don’t go as high as Clear Creek State Park so you won’t float past the campground, with the longest being 9 miles. The facilities are always clean, with large shower areas and always fully stocked with tissue. All sites have fire rings with adjustable grills. The best un-powered RV site is site 40– private and waterfront. The best powered-RV site is 39– private and waterfront. There are also two very private tent sites that are waterfront(classified as Kayak In tent sites) numbered CR-001& CR-002. Both waterfront, shaded with fire rings. Excellent tent sites! Note you can only book them for 1 night at a time. No phone reception at this one! They welcome furry friends at selected sites!

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.


Guide to Clarington

Dispersed camping options around Clarington, Pennsylvania extend beyond the Allegheny National Forest, with additional opportunities in nearby state forest lands and wildlife management areas. Many sites accommodate tent setups year-round, though winter campers should prepare for temperatures that frequently drop below freezing between November and March. Surface conditions throughout tent campsites near Clarington vary with seasonal rainfall patterns, typically receiving 40-45 inches of precipitation annually.

What to do

Waterfall exploration: Hector Falls offers a rewarding hiking destination near the Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite area. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations," notes one visitor, though cautioning that "the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop."

Winter hiking: Cold-weather camping provides unique experiences on trails throughout the region. A camper at Wolfkiel Run Shelters reports, "The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile (~15min)." Winter visitors can experience solitude with proper preparation.

Swimming access: Several tent campsites near Clarington connect to swimming opportunities in warm months. At the Allegheny Wild and Scenic River, accessible spots along the riverbank provide cooling options during summer heat. One camper simply describes the area as having "Large sites well shaded," making it comfortable even during warmer periods.

What campers like

Genuine privacy: Many dispersed sites offer significant separation from other campers. At Danner Primitive Campground, "There are 8 sites spread out along the edge of the river, some being closer together than others. They are level and clear, each with a new picnic table and nice fire rings with adjustable grates."

Scenic isolation: Tent campers appreciate the remote feeling of many sites, especially on weekdays. At Private Island w/ Paddle Moor Co., "The island has cleared trails to get to the campsite which seem to be maintained very well and on a regular basis... The land around the island is very quiet also."

Cooking amenities: Fire setups at many sites include practical features for meal preparation. At Wolfkiel Run Shelters, "The shelter fireplaces have hooks for hanging pots and pans over the flames," allowing for more cooking options than standard campfire rings.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to dispersed sites varies greatly by season and recent weather. At Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite, one visitor noted seasonal challenges: "We stayed here in March, so there weren't leaves back on the trees yet which meant we could see the road (and the road could see us). Not a huge deal, just not very private. It was also extremely muddy."

Navigation challenges: Finding unmarked dispersed sites can be difficult without proper directions. At Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, one camper warned: "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," while another noted "Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you."

Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in forested camping areas throughout the region. One camper at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite shared a direct experience: "I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night. The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in your camp!"

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: For families new to primitive camping, certain sites offer gentler introduction. Mountain View Camps provides "Great place to stay close to hiking trails and fishing spots. Hit the mountain bike track, explore the ruins on the game lands, and might even see an albino fawn."

Nature viewing: Wildlife spotting opportunities abound for children. Private Island camping offers unique evening experiences: "When it was dark (pitch black) you could see all the fireflies. To be honest that was like a show in itself and made it also worth every penny of how beautiful it was."

Educational opportunities: Historical sites near camping areas provide learning experiences. At Mountain View Camps, families can "explore the ruins on the game lands" as part of their outdoor adventure, combining recreation with historical context.

Tips from RVers

RV site selection: Limited options exist for larger rigs in the immediate Clarington area. At Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, one RVer advises: "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160... Great hiking/biking. The spot next to the hiking trail has WiFi 70% of the time."

Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts RV accessibility significantly. An RVer notes: "I would give this a 5 star if it didn't rain so much. Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street."

Directions for larger vehicles: Specific routing helps prevent access issues. The same RVer provides detailed guidance: "To get here, take Hwy 6 just east of Warren. Turn left on Kinzua road. Go about 8 miles. Stop at the Kinzua dam about 5 miles in. Turn right. Go about a mile and a half, turn right towards Jakes Rocks."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clarington, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clarington, PA is Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite with a 4.4-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Clarington, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Clarington, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.